Rose Rendler: One woman bookmobile for care center

Over the past three years, Rose Rendler has been a one-woman bookmobile to residents at Cathlamet’s Columbia View Care Center.

Rendler greets residents and gets an update on health concerns. She knows who’s still able to read and who prefers Danielle Steele. She shakes hands with residents who may not be able to articulate a sentence but who have a big smile.

She’s learned about residents’ taste in books and has found that few want blood and gore. She brings Westerns, romance and mystery. Some like to read about pioneer women, she said.

Rendler greets all of the residents by name. She worked as a relief activity director for seven years before leaving the job and returning as a library volunteer.

Some residents trade books among themselves between visits, and sometimes staff pick up books from various corners of the facility and put them aside for Rendler.

Faye Peterson went to the Branch Bradley Library often. Now, as a Columbia View resident, she says she appreciates the opportunity to read library books.

On a recent visit, resident Anna Hill carefully read the backs of the two books Rendler recommended.

“Nora Roberts is good,” Hill said.

Gwen Blackmon asked, “Do you have a large print romance book?”

“Oh, I do” Rendler said.

Rendler offered an audio-book to someone who is unable to see well enough to read even large print.

“I don’t think you have to bother,” the woman said.

Town librarian Connie Christopher said she’s very pleased that Rendler saw a need and filled it. Library volunteer Charlene Jeffers fills in when Rendler is traveling.

Rendler is interested in volunteers who might want to work with her, perhaps reading to residents. Volunteers should contact the library.

“The residents love to have someone come in and say, Hi, How are you?” Rendler said, “I get more out of it than they do.”